January 24, 2003 -

Ottawa, Canada - Beethoven's heroic Piano Concerto No. 5, known as the "Emperor" Concerto, is the work that will bring together one of today's leading pianists Emanuel Ax, and his friend Pinchas Zukerman conducting the National Arts Centre Orchestra on Wednesday, February 12 and Thursday, February 13 at 20:00 in Southam Hall. These concerts open with Pinchas Zukerman leading Tchaikovsky's Sérénade mélancolique from the violin, and then taking up the baton for Shostakovich's Chamber Symphony orchestrated for strings from the Quartet No. 8.

Pianist Emanuel Ax will give Pre-Concert Talks in English both nights in the Salon giving a soloist's insight into Beethoven's "Emperor of Concertos". These free talks take place in the NAC Salon at 19:00.

Tchaikovsky's exquisite miniature, the Sérénade mélancolique is much beloved of violinists for its heartbreaking beauty, and provides a perfect opening to this concert. The Chamber Symphony by Shostakovich will offer a rare opportunity for National Arts Centre Orchestra concertgoers to hear a work by this composer whose pieces are usually written for larger orchestral forces. Shostakovich's String Quartet No. 8 was arranged for string orchestra by Russian conductor Rudolf Barshai who led the NAC Orchestra in this work in 1980 before taking up his position as Music Director of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. The Emperor Concerto, one of the most popular in the piano repertoire, earned its name for its grandeur and majesty.

The multi-Grammy Award-winning pianist Emanuel Ax first captured public attention in 1974 when, at age 25, he won the First Arthur Rubinstein International Piano Competition in Tel Aviv. In 1975 he won the Michaels Award of Young Concert Artists and, four years later, took the coveted Avery Fisher Prize.

Emanuel Ax has been an exclusive Sony Classical recording artist since 1987. He is renowned not only for his poetic temperament and unsurpassed virtuosity, but also for the exceptional breadth of his performing activity. Each season his distinguished career includes appearances with major symphony orchestras worldwide, recitals in the most celebrated concert halls, a variety of chamber music collaborations, the commissioning and performance of new music, and additions to his acclaimed discography.

Tickets for these Ovation Series concerts at the National Arts Centre on February 12 and 13 are on sale now at $26.50, $43.50 and $54.50, with box seats at $68.00 (GST and Facility Fee included) at the NAC Box Office (Monday to Saturday from 10:00 to 21:00), and through Ticketmaster (with surcharges) at 613-755-1111. Ticketmaster may also be accessed through the NAC's web-site at www.nac-cna.ca. Half-price tickets for students in all sections of the hall are on sale in person at the NAC Box Office upon presentation of a valid student ID card.

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For more information please contact:
Jane Morris, Marketing Officer,
National Arts Centre Orchestra
(613) 947-7000, ext. 335
jmorris@nac-cna.ca